Door Lock Switch Actuation for Forced-Opening Power Cutoff

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door locks for electrical appliances fail to rapidly and safely cut off power supply when the door is forcibly opened, especially if components like the cam or lock pin are damaged, leading to safety and operational risks.

Innovation Solution

A door lock system with a switch mechanism driven by a swing lever and a driving slider, which can be activated by a door hook to open a switch, ensuring immediate power cutoff even if the cam or other components are damaged during forced opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional door lock mechanism is used, then the door can be locked, but the power supply cannot be rapidly cut off when the door is forcibly opened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower cutoff reliabilityVSAvoidpower cutoff speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The door lock system is segmented into independent functional modules: the cam mechanism for locking, the driving slider for detection, and the swing lever for switch actuation. This segmentation allows the power cutoff function to operate independently through the swing lever and switch, ensuring rapid response even if the cam or other locking components fail during forced opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The swing lever acts as an intermediary mechanism between the door hook movement and the switch actuation. When the door is forcibly opened and the door hook moves, it drives the driving slider which then actuates the swing lever to open the switch, providing a reliable intermediary path for power cutoff that bypasses potential failures in the main locking components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the door lock components are simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sensitivity to detect forced opening is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor lock structure complexityVSAvoidforced opening detection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The swing lever serves multiple functions: it acts as a mechanical linkage for normal door operation and simultaneously functions as a sensitive detector for forced opening conditions. This multi-functionality increases detection sensitivity without adding separate dedicated sensing components, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The door hook's own movement during forced opening is utilized to drive the driving slider and subsequently actuate the swing lever. The system uses the forced opening force itself as the triggering mechanism, eliminating the need for separate sensors or detection devices, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving high detection sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If the cam and lock pin are used for locking, then the door can be securely locked, but the power supply cannot be cut off if these components are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking strengthVSAvoidpower cutoff reliability under damage conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking and power cutoff functions are segmented into separate mechanical paths: the cam and lock pin handle locking strength, while the driving slider and swing lever independently handle power cutoff detection. This segmentation ensures that damage to the cam or lock pin does not affect the power cutoff capability, as the swing lever path remains functional.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a backup detection path through the driving slider and swing lever that is prepared in advance to handle cases where the cam or lock pin fail. This prior cushioning ensures that even if the main locking components are damaged during forced opening, the power cutoff function remains reliable through the alternative detection and actuation path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively and reliably cuts off the power supply to the electrical appliance when the door is forcibly opened, ensuring safety and immediate stoppage of operations, even if other lock components are compromised.

Implementation Method 1

the swing lever is capable of rotating to open the switch means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentEP3857008B1Door lock
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3857008B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3857008B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3857008B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to a door lock and a control circuit thereof. The door lock includes a switch means, a switch driving means capable of opening the switch means, and a driving slider. The driving slider is capable of driving the switch driving means. The driving slider is capable of being driven by a door hook. The switch driving means (that is, a swing lever) and a lock pin are capable of jointly controlling opening of the switch means. The switch driving means (that is, the swing lever) is driven by a mechanical structure (that is, the driving slider), and the lock pin can be driven by an electronic signal and a circuit structure (for example, a second current loop), thereby improving the sensitivity and reliability in disconnecting the power supply under abnormal working conditions.